Elizabeth H. Ellinas, MD

Dr. Ellinas joined MCW as Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology in 2001, and was named Associate Professor in 2010. Since 2007, she has served as Chief of Obstetric Anesthesia at Wheaton-Franciscan Medical Center – St. Joseph, and since 2009 in the same position at Froedtert Hospital’s Birth Center. This has allowed her to combine the two centers to create a cohesive Obstetric Anesthesia group – resulting in economies of scale, consistency in anesthesia care at the two sites and greatly enhancing the working environment. Such efforts necessitated Dr. Ellinas to rethink pharmacy protocols; develop new clinical-care strategies; participate in obstetric rounds, quality meetings, and multi-disciplinary simulation sessions; and be physically present to engage necessary parties.

Dr. Ellinas was named Obstetric Anesthesiology Fellowship Director in 2007, and worked diligently to adjust the fellowship program so that it would be eligible for certification should that become available. She successfully recruited faculty from multiple disciplines, including Intensive Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology. When the ACGME opened the fellowship to certification in 2012, MCW’s program became certified.

In July 2014, Dr. Ellinas was named Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs. Her responsibilities in this role include assisting the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs with matters pertaining to faculty concerns, continuing her research into faculty development, working with the AAMC’s Faculty Forward group, assisting in the continuing development of a diversity and inclusion plan for MCW, and supporting faculty development efforts including goal-setting and leadership skill-building.